Ernest Brooksbank

Princess Eugenie, Mrs. Jack Brooksbank (born Eugenie Victoria Helena; March 23, 1990), is a member of the British royal family. She is the younger daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York. She is a niece of King Charles III. As of 2025, she is twelfth in the line of succession to the British throne.

Eugenie was born at the Portland Hospital in London at 7:58 pm. Her birth was by Caesarean section. She is the sixth grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. She was baptized as Eugenie Victoria Helena at St. Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham, on December 23, 1990, performed by Peter Nott, Bishop of Norwich. She was the first royal baby to have a public christening and the only grandchild of the Queen not to be baptized in the Lily Font.

Her parents divorced when she was six years old. Following the divorce, her parents agreed to joint custody, and she and her sister, Beatrice, traveled abroad with either parent. The Queen provided funds to establish a trust for her and her sister. In 2002, at age 12, Eugenie underwent back surgery to correct scoliosis, involving the placement of two titanium rods in her back. The surgery was successful, and no further spinal surgeries were required.

Eugenie's early education included attendance at Winkfield Montessori School (1992-1993), Upton House School in Windsor (until 1995), Coworth Park School (now Coworth Flexlands School) (1995-2001), and St. George’s School near Windsor Castle until 2003. She then boarded at Marlborough College in Wiltshire for five years, earning three A-levels with high grades in Art, English Literature, and History of Art.

After a gap year, Eugenie enrolled at Newcastle University in September 2009, graduating in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and Art History, with a 2:1 classification. In 2013, she moved to New York City for one year to work as a benefit auctions manager at Paddle8, an online auction house. She returned to London in July 2015 to join Hauser & Wirth, a contemporary art gallery, as an associate director and was promoted to director in 2017.

During her gap year, it has been reported she received taxpayer-funded security while traveling internationally. In January 2022, it was reported that her taxpayer-funded police security was withdrawn in 2011, following an intervention by her uncle, Charles III, then Prince of Wales. The decision was based on security expenditure concerns, as she and her sister were not expected to undertake significant royal duties.

In 2018, Eugenie married Jack Brooksbank, a British marketing executive. They had been in a relationship for seven years, having been introduced during a ski holiday in Verbier, Switzerland. Their engagement was announced in January 2018. The couple resides in Kensington Palace's Ivy Cottage. Their wedding took place on October 12, 2018, at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. Eugenie’s wedding dress was designed by Peter Pilotto and Christopher de Vos, featuring her surgical scar to honor those affected by scoliosis.

The couple has two sons: August Philip Hawke Brooksbank, born February 9, 2021, via caesarean section due to his mother’s scoliosis history; and Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank, born May 30, 2023. August was baptized at the Royal Chapel of All Saints, Windsor, on November 21, 2021, and named after notable ancestors, including Prince Philip and Prince Albert. Ernest was named after King George V, his grandfather George Brooksbank, and Major Ronald Ferguson.

From November 2020 to May 2022, Eugenie’s primary residence was Frogmore Cottage, leased to her cousin Prince Harry. In May 2022, reports indicated she and her family had moved to Portugal, where her husband works for Michael Meldman. They are known to stay at Ivy Cottage when in the UK.

Eugenie does not receive an allowance from the Privy Purse but participates in various public engagements, often linked to her charitable work. She supports organizations including the Teenage Cancer Trust, Children in Crisis, Anti-Slavery International, and the Scoliosis Association UK. She has served as patron or ambassador for multiple charities and initiatives promoting social and environmental causes.

Her activities include opening facilities for charities, traveling for official visits, and participating in campaigns addressing modern slavery, ocean preservation, and social justice. Eugenie co-founded the Anti-Slavery Collective in 2017 and has spoken at events including the UN headquarters. She launched a podcast titled "Floodlight" in 2022 to discuss issues related to modern slavery.

Additional honors include her full style as "Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie of York" prior to her marriage, after which she is styled "Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie, Mrs. Jack Brooksbank."